"reactive" is not good, but, what can you do when you don't know or aren't sure 100% as what caused the problem. Keep researching, get more opinions from experts. Be careful not to be too anxious to jump into pre-matured conclusion and act on it - it is a lesson we've learned, in crisis, it is easy to have a "knee jerk reaction".

We did submit a reconsideration request. Specifically, google asked us to note if we have hired a SEO company to do it. I think Google does care who built the links, in turn, they can track down more link schemers, but, how they can manage this, is a puzzle for everyone, isn't it.

We hired a SEO company two months ago, they build 300links/month for us among other things. We got warning from Google about "unatural links" on 03/28. Yesterday, we received letter from this SEO company informing us that they will help us remove those links, why did it take them so long (we did check with them on 3/30 about our link building with them and they said so far they haven't seen any negative impact).

I can't trust them anymore. How will I know they've removed unaturally links if they only told me so? Also, it's been difficult to get hold of the project manager. I want to assert some pressure to get this done quickly, should I let them know that if it is not done quickly I will report them to Google (that's what Google is asking very Loudly and Clearly). Also what is the reasonable time frame can I expect that's done?

Really enjoyed your post as we just began to work with writers, I was in the process of defining a effective process, such as doing research on my own and then share that with the writer. Your post just highlighted the idea for me. THANK YOU SO MUCH!